Whether you are building a home or office, you need to be aware of the effects of strong winds on your project. You want to make sure that you have enough wind resistance on your structure so that you are not affected by the storms. In addition, you want to make sure that you are aware of the load resistance requirements on any nonstructural elements in your building. You also want to make sure that you are locating your building in a location where the winds are not too powerful. Check out the wind classification for the construction project.
Straight-line wind
Unlike tornadoes, which are the result of rotating storms, straight-line wind is an outflow of a thunderstorm that doesn’t rotate. It’s caused by a difference in air temperature and density, which causes the storm system to push air downward.
Although straight-line wind is less likely to destroy buildings, it can be just as damaging. Trees, power lines and vehicles are frequently knocked over by straight-line winds, which can result in considerable property damage.
Damage caused by straight-line windstorms is easy to spot from the sky. The most obvious indication is a fan-like pattern of debris. These debris are generally blown away in one direction, but they can also be scattered in different directions.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) tracks the damage caused by severe weather events, and estimates that $17 billion in property damage is reported each year in the U.S. Almost half of these reports come from severe thunderstorm winds.
Down-Slope wind
Frequently found in mountainous areas of the western United States and Alaska, a down-slope wind is a dry air mass that speeds through mountain passes at near 160 kph. Although down-slope winds can certainly affect a construction project, a proper engineering solution will likely involve consulting a meteorologist or two.
The most important question is: What are the best possible ways to minimize the risk of having a down-slope wind blowing through your project? There are many factors to consider, including terrain upslope and wind direction. One of the easiest ways to quantify the risk is by examining the wind speed in relation to height above the ground. A good place to start is by asking your local building department for information on climatic data and locating a local meteorologist.
The best part of the process is determining the most cost-effective solutions for your project. This can be achieved by studying the wind patterns, the weather patterns, and the terrain upslope.
Load resistance criteria for nonstructural elements
Whether you are designing a new construction project, remodeling an existing one, or preparing an architectural contract, it is important to be familiar with load resistance criteria for nonstructural elements. A design team should analyze the building and the surrounding area, as well as the external-mounted mechanical equipment. The goal is to ensure that the items are repaired before they fail. Oftentimes, repairs are less expensive than waiting for failure to occur.
If the building is located in an area with a strong wind, the designer of record is responsible for demonstrating the nonstructural building envelope’s resistance to design wind loads. The strength of the building envelope is determined by a combination of factors, including the building’s size, material, and spacing. It is also important to consider the structural connections. This includes the connection between the foundation and the wall.
When designing the exterior non-load bearing walls of a building, the designer should consider using a partial enclosed pressure coefficient to determine the load capacity of the wall. In addition, the wall should be anchored to the foundation properly.
Avoid locating an office building in a hurricane-prone region
Whether you are locating an office building in a hurricane prone area or just want to be prepared, there are several steps you should consider to minimize your risk of damage. There are three areas to look at, design, construction and maintenance, to reduce your risk of damage. The first two areas address building design and construction, while the third area covers maintenance and emergency response.
Design and construction enhancements to your office building are recommended to help reduce your risk of damage. For example, installing special roof and wall finishes can help protect your building from windborne debris. During hurricanes, windborne debris is a common cause of damage to both interior and exterior walls. Debris can travel over 300 feet in an extreme wind event. In addition to damaging your building, debris can damage automobiles and other buildings.